The Best Beaches Near Lisbon

When you think of European capitals, pristine beaches aren’t the first thing that springs to mind. Lisbon, though, is different. Sitting on the western edge of the continent, with warm, sunny weather most of the year, the city is blessed with dozens of beaches within easy reach of the city center.

Being on the Atlantic coast is both a blessing and curse for Lisbon’s sun lovers. On the upside, the crashing waves bring golden sand to most of the city’s beaches, rather than the pebbles and rocks that dominate most Mediterranean coastlines.

On the downside, the water is surprisingly cold, even in the height of summer. If you want to find a spot to yourself on a busy August weekend, the best place is probably a few feet offshore!

Regardless, with so many sandy options to choose from, it’s not always easy to pick the best. We’ve picked out four of the top beaches near the city, each of which has its own ‘special something’ that makes it stand out for locals and visitors alike.

None of them are...MORE more than an hour from anywhere you’re likely to be staying in Lisbon.

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Cascais

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Once a small fishing village, Cascais has transformed itself in recent decades to become a tourist destination in its own right.

On summer weekends, the half-hour train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre station is packed with tourists and Lisboetas alike, all seeking out a slice of sand on one of Cascais’s small, sheltered beaches.

Because of that, if you can time your visit for a weekday or during the city’s long spring and fall seasons, you’ll have a lot more breathing room. It's also worth buying your train ticket in advance if you can, as the lines at the machines can be long on those warm summer mornings.

Closest to the main square and historic part of Cascais lies tiny Praia da Ribeira. It’s also known as Fisherman’s Beach, and you’ll likely see several small boats coming and going as you lie on the sand. It’s calm and safe for children, although the water quality isn’t amazing due to that commercial activity.

Larger beaches lie just to the east, and it’s easier to find somewhere to...MORE lay your towel on Praia da Conceição and Praia do Duquesa. Joined together at low tide, these two stretches of sand offer the classic Cascais beach experience.

If even those are too busy for your liking, just keep heading east along the boardwalk, as several other small beaches lie within a reasonable walking distance.

When you tire of time in the sun, be sure to visit the famous Gelados Santini before jumping on the train back into the city. This little store has been turning out incredible ice-cream for over sixty years, and is well worth the inevitable waiting in line.

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Praia do Guincho

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If Cascais is too crowded, or you’re looking for water-based activities more strenuous than padding in the shallows, hire a bicycle or jump in a bus or taxi from Cascais and head a few miles further along the coast.

Whether you follow the scenic N247 or cut through on the shorter inland route, you’ll soon find yourself looking down on Praia do Guincho–and likely, being buffeted by the strong winds that dominate this part of the coastline.

There isn’t much shelter on the beach, so if the breeze is particularly strong, sunbathers may want to choose a different spot. Powerful rip currents can make also make swimming dangerous, so pay close attention to the flags and lifeguards if you’re planning to get in the ocean.

Instead, this beach is a prime spot for surfers and, when the winds blow across the bay in summer, kite-surfers as well. Equipment hire and lessons are relatively inexpensive, with a few different shops to choose from.

Praia do Cresmina

Separated from Praia do Guincho by a rocky headland, the much smaller Praia do Cresmina doesn’t look like much from the road.

Pick your way down the steps, however, and find a spot beside the cliffs, and you’ll be rewarded by a more sheltered, calmer beach experience than is offered by its windy neighbor.

The beach is divided by a small outcrop, and you’ll get the most shelter in the tiny northern section between Hotel Fortaleza and Restaurante Mar do Guincho. There are no amenities there, though, so if you’re looking for cafes and beach umbrellas, pick a spot on the longer southern section.

There’s a kite-surfing school there, and easy access to a few restaurants if you didn’t bring your own picnic. On those long Lisbon summer afternoons, Praia do Cresmina is the perfect spot to while away a few hours. Pack a bottle of wine, a few snacks, and a good book, and you're ready to go!

Once you're done, taxis run up and down the beachside road reasonably often during the day, but you may...MORE have to wait a while before an empty one passes by. If you don't have your own transport and don't want to risk waiting forever for a lift back to the train station, it's worth keeping the Uber app installed on your phone as well.

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Costa Caparica

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Costa Caparica should be far more popular with international tourists than it is. Starting on the southern side of the Tagus river, it’s the longest stretch of sand in Portugal, the best part of twenty miles end to end.

Despite that, international holidaymakers are in relatively short supply in Costa Caparica. You’ll find far more locals or visitors from elsewhere in Portugal sunning themselves on this part of the coast, especially at the weekend.

The busiest part of the beach lies alongside the town of the same name. It has plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants, but is otherwise a relatively charmless affair unless you're in the mood for souvenir shopping. Walk along the boardwalk, though, and the crowds quickly thin out.

Drive south a few miles (or take the small train that runs alongside the beach in summer), and the...MORE buildings disappear almost completely, replaced by eucalyptus forests. This is also where you’ll find the gay and nudist areas, but it’s easy to find a large stretch of sand all to yourself. If you prefer to sunbathe in isolation, this is your spot.

For those wanting to stay closer to town, it’s worth strolling along the boardwalk to check out the beachside bars and restaurants. Find an outdoor table, order a cold vinho verde or sangria, and watch the waves crash in front of you as seagulls wheel overhead. There are also good, inexpensive seafood restaurants and other dining options a few blocks back from the beach.

It’s easy to spend an entire enjoyable day shuffling between Costa Caparica’s beaches, bars, and restaurants. Traffic leaving the area can get busy around sunset, though, so either take your ferry, bus, or cab back to Lisbon earlier in the afternoon, or plan to have a leisurely dinner near the beach and wait until night has well and truly fallen before heading back over the bridge.